A Coach’s (Sometimes Annoying) Role

Sometimes I get annoyed at my Jiu jistu coach. He says things like, “you did great, but you’re not using your pressure like you should.” Or “that looked really good, but you still aren’t doing x.” And I always think, “you should’ve just stopped after the good part.” And yet, he continues to do it. Over, and over, and over again.

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And then I remember-he’s not my coach because he can say all the nice things. I could have anyone do that. He’s my coach because he holds me to a standard that will make me better. He’s my coach because he sees the potential that I have, which I’m 100% certain is much higher than I ever think of myself. He’s my coach because he sees what I can become, and doesn’t let me settle or argue for less. He sees what I often can’t yet see in myself, and patiently works with me as I grow.

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So, I (sometimes still reluctantly) welcome the second part of his feedback….the “but” parts that I don’t always want to hear. The things that bother me because they are difficult for me, challenge me, or that I don’t yet fully understand. Because someday I WILL get them…he won’t let me get away with not doing so.